News and commentary on Caribbean culture, literature, and the arts

March 1, 2014

Machel is the 2014 Power Soca Monarch

Donstan Bonn writes that defending Power Soca Monarch king Machel Montano retained his title despite getting stiff challenges from Hollice “Mr Kill@” Mapp, Neil Iwer George, and Destra Garcia at the 2014 International Soca Monarch competition at the National Stadium in Port of Spain this past Friday. This time, however, Kerwin Du Bois won the title of Groovy Soca Monarch.

The Carnival showpiece, dubbed “Fantastic Friday”, saw Montano used a host of dancers, including break dancers, and less props as he’s renowned for in his presentation of “Ministry Of The Road.” Clad in a yellow suit and black tie, Montano was able to energise the crowd as his dancers went through a high intensity routine while a member of his supporting cast attempted to smash up a piece of road, the one noticeable prop used, with a sledgehammer. Mr Kill@, who was considered a serious contender to dethrone Montano, finished in a historic three-way tie for second with Destra Garcia and Neil Iwer George.

During the performing of his immensely popular “Rolly Polly”, the Grenadian soca artiste did a handstand on the back of two of his rolly polly dancers before introducing his major prop, a rolly polly machine. He had a slim young lady enter the machine to be subsequently transformed into a ‘Rolly Polly’ woman, almost four times her original size.

Iwer, as usual, showed he still possessed the uncanny ability to get the crowd to respond to his every urging while delivering “Mama Oye” while Garcia gave a polished performance of her 2014 hit “Mash Up.” But they were unable to remove the king off his Power throne.

In the Groovy category, however, Kerwin Du Bois was able to accomplish what the others failed to do – dethrone Montano. Du Bois’ “Too Real” proved to be too groovy for Montano’s “Happiest Man Alive” as he won the approval of the judges and the crowd. Montano took second with “Big People Party” securing third position for Darryl “Farmer Nappy” Henry and Garcia rounding out the top four with “First Time.”